Ash, since you mention other Cronenberg films I've seen...perhaps I avoided Scanners for a while, based on its reputation...saw it after some of the following:

Videodrome -

Odd watching this movie...the thought that you understand what the Hell is happening is ephemeral. As in it goes into how the whole thing works then, after the movie ends you think to yourself..."HUH?".

Rabid -

Sorry, just can't get over the fact that this is about a woman with a killer armpit. Lost me right there! Liked that nice misdirection at the end though, with that bit with the dog and the woman.

Scanners -

A calling card by Cronenberg. Seems to have worked.

Xistenz (sp?) -

I do remember the visceral technology in this...eww!

The brood -

Can't say that I remember this one much.

If I have seen other movies by him, I don't remember them at the top of my head.